Last week's Monday Night Raw was a special episode, the beginning of a new era in WWE that was perfectly balanced with character moments and great matches. It was a show that showed us where Raw as a brand was headed toward SummerSlam and beyond.

As with every Raw though, the post-PPV shows are always bigger events than those that follow it. If WWE really wants to continue this new momentum, they must manage to at least get close to the level of quality that we had last week. Otherwise, last week will just be an anomaly.

Charlotte and Chris Jericho def. Sasha Banks and Enzo

Overview: The show began with Sasha Banks making her way out to the ring as WWE Women's Champion for the first time. Charlotte interrupted her as Banks made clear she would win again at SummerSlam. Charlotte made clear she thought Banks' win was a fluke, but Banks was turned it back around insulting Charlotte.

This insult brought out Chris Jericho who told Banks to be quiet. Enzo interrupted to make sure that he got done some business on the night, putting the moves on Sasha. In the mix of flying insults, Mick Foley came out and made a mixed tag team match between the four.

Enzo and Jericho started with a headlock with the women moving up the speed of the contest as they got tagged in. Enzo and Banks cleared the heels from the ring and hit suicide dives simultaneously on their rivals. Jericho gained control over the commercial, but Enzo fought back and sent him right into the turnbuckle.

Charlotte distracted Enzo during a pinfall, allowing Jericho to trap him in the Walls of Jericho with Enzo making it to the ropes quickly. Jericho hit a dropkick but hurt himself on the impact, forcing a double tag to both women. Banks dominated Charlotte and hit the double knees in the corner for two.

Banks hit the backstabber, but Dana Brooke ran in to make the save. Banks fought her off and slapped Jericho, but all the distractions allowed the Natural Selection for the victory. Afterward, Jericho hit a surprise Codebreaker on Enzo with Big Cass coming out to run off Chris.

Analysis: I like the idea of WWE starting off with fresh wrestlers. The women starting in particular was welcome. However, this was a mess of random wrestlers with no real story. Sasha seemed uncomfortable went starting the segment then her heat with Charlotte was quickly dissipated by the men getting involved.

The segment was far too long particularly for a match that did not really go anywhere in its two segment length. This segment could potentially be pointing to a huge problem with the three hour Raw with a smaller roster. WWE will give more time to performers, but it may just end up giving them too much, forcing them to waste time.

Braun Smash!

Braun Strowman def. Evan Anderholm

Overview: Byron Saxton interviewed Evan Anderholm before his match who said he was offered $1000 to compete in this match with $5000 if he won. Braun Strowman threw the local competitor around, hit a big splash, then hit the reverse chokeslam for the victory.

Analysis: I should probably just mark these segments for the next few weeks as the Strowman squash match and move on. I enjoy the humor here, but it will take a month or so for this to be anything more than the same match with different wrestlers. As a note for the future as well, Braun Strowman's new theme is pretty wretched.

The Shining Stars def. The Golden Truth

Overview: R-Truth came out for this match still playing Pokemon Go. Goldust started against Primo who had to knock down the Puerto Rican star alone. Epico ran into an inverted Atomic Drop, but the distraction allowed Primo to ground and beat down Goldust with fervor.

Epico ran into a big boot that allowed Goldust to get separation. Truth caught a Pokemon then dropped his phone, making him miss Goldust's tag. Goldust was then rolled up for the loss. Afterward, Truth found another Pokemon in the ring.

Analysis: I was just fine with Golden Truth's Pokemon Go problem ending last week. Now it seems to have become a part of their gimmick which is a problem. This comes off as being desperate to be hip. It doesn't help that the portrayal of Pokemon Go here isn't even accurate (and I know that without ever playing it personally).

Man, the big match feel here is overwhelming.

Finn Balor Makes Sure Seth Rollins Cannot Belittle Him

Overview: Michael Cole introduced Finn Balor who made clear he wanted to make an impact. Seth Rollins interrupted almost immediately and told Cole to leave. Rollins seemed to put over Balor's accomplishments, but he made clear he had done everything Balor had done but first.

Balor made clear he knew about Rollins' success, but he was going to do something no one had ever done and become the first ever Universal Champion. Rollins found that promise funny then turned angry as Balor said he would become the new man in WWE.

Balor took exception to Rollins being handed a title shot at SummerSlam while Balor earned his shot. Rollins told Balor to stay tuned for his match later against Sami Zayn, but one last warning by Balor started an early brawl. Balor blocked Rollins' punch and knocked him out of the ring.

Analysis: As a first clash between the current top two competitors in WWE, this was noticeably underwhelming. Finn Balor was awkward with his line delivery coming off as scripted. The two just did not really click, and the showdown between them didn't scream excitement.

The crowd reaction to Balor was cool though. This shows how important NXT is with him already this over with an average crowd. I also did like the material in the segment as Rollins and Balor traded accomplishments which showed their interesting career parallels.

Does this allow Rusev to start his own Hall of Pain? Because I'm all for it.

Rusev def. Mark Henry to Retain the WWE United States Championship

Overview: Rusev demanded that he be introduced first in this match. The two locked up in a collar and elbow tie-up. They then began throwing forearms with Henry answering by beginning to throw Rusev around. Henry hit a body slam and headbutt on Rusev which sent Rusev reeling outside.

Rusev hit a kick to the gut which allowed him to begin throwing forearms at the back of Henry. Henry then hit a body guillotine with authority on Rusev. Rusev fought back and tried to lock in The Accolade, but Henry fought it off and hit a series of clotheslines.

Henry missed a big boot and walked into a spinning heel kick then a side kick to the back of the head. Rusev then locked in The Accolade for the submission. Afterward, Rusev said that all Americans cheat in the Olympic Games and don't deserve any recognition. This brought out Roman Reigns who was attached by Rusev but ended up sending him reeling with a Superman Punch.

Analysis: For whatever reason, Mark Henry really didn't seem to have his heart in this. His forearms seemed to be half-efforts which led to a lackluster match. It was interesting to have the match end so quickly back from the break. I wonder if this was all to show WWE really has no intention of using their veteran talent.

After the match, we got the real excitement as Rusev's next opponent was revealed. Roman Reigns is a perfect pair for Rusev with the two similarly powerful and fast. It is about time we get to see them fight in a real feud.

It is odd that Reigns was so quickly shuffled off into a midcard title feud though. Perhaps there is some truth to Reigns being in the dog house after his suspension. He's never even touched a midcard title until this point.

Hey, it's just about that time of year, isn't it? Time for another PTP reunion.

Darren Young def. Titus O'Neil

Overview: Darren Young sent Titus O'Neil into the corner early but quickly took a shoulder tackle. When Young refused to let O'Neil pull him to his feet, Titus began to show a more aggressive mean streak. He beat down on Young and threw him around with ease then locked in a chin lock followed by a vicious chop.

Young fought back with strikes but ran into a knee. Titus unceremoniously lifted up and dropped Young to the mat for two. He locked in another chin lock. Young tried to keep fighting but took a body slam. Titus seemed ready for a Clash of Titus which Young dodged but couldn't turn into sunset flip.

Young went for a Gut Check which Titus blocked and almost hit a Clash of the Titus. Young ran into the turnbuckle, and O'Neil rolled him up with a handful of tights for the victory.

Analysis: For the first time since the two broke up, I am legitimately interested in a feud between Darren Young and Titus O'Neil. They both have improved quite a bit, and their shared history and ambiguous face/heel alignment make this potentially an exciting midcard feud that can help both men.

The match here was solid. O'Neil was aggressive and vicious against his partner, hinting at a heel turn. Young played the underdog well with his repeated failed attempts to gain control. Backlund makes for an interesting presence at ringside, and I do hope that we get more from these guys next time.

Nia Smash!

Nia Jax def. Ariel Monroe

Overview: Nia Jax quickly sent Ariel Monroe to the top rope and knocked her down. When the local competitor tried to use the ropes to gain an advantage, she got thrown to the mat. Jax then caught Ariel and hit a falling powerslam for the victory. Jax was interviewed but decided to keep things short by attacking Ariel again and making fun of her competition.

Analysis: Both Strowman and Jax are being built as unstoppable forces in WWE. The squashes work with the local competitors rag dolling for them. However, there is not much here to actually analyze. Jax should only speak in small bursts as her voice doesn't quite pair with her dominating presence.

Overview: The New Day talked before hand about how unfair it was that they were forced to leave one of their members in the back for this match with Xavier Woods being the odd man out. Karl Anderson started this match by dominating Big E with Luke Gallows helping.

Big E fought back, but Gallows took out Kofi on the outside. As the two Club members took some to Too Sweet, Big E rolled up Anderson for three. Gallows and Anderson immediately lost and destroyed their opponents. After stopping a returning Xavier Woods, they hit the Boot of Doom twice on Big E.

Woods got back into the fight onto to take a running knee from Anderson. Anderson and Gallows then slammed Big E crotch first into the steel post, leaving him clearly hurt with it unclear how bad the damage was.

Analysis: The New Day vs. Gallows and Anderson feud has a ton of potential particularly in the ring, and this segment succeeded in developing the feud. However, there really shouldn't have been a match here, not one this short. This is supposed to be the champion against their top contenders in an even contest.

We had Anderson and Gallows lose with Woods out of the picture in two minutes. That is absolutely unbelievable. At least the post-match brutal assault was great, showing that Gallows and Anderson will do anything to get an edge even got over the line and truly hurt a competitor.

Now we likely are heading for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods being forced to defend their titles against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson with no support from Big E who has been the biggest powerhouse for the group. It is a solid dynamic shift.

Call me when Cesaro learns to throw uppercuts with his legs. Then we got something here.

Cesaro def. Sheamus to Potentially Earn a Future Title Opportunity

Overview: Cesaro and Sheamus came right out swinging, locking up and hitting takedowns. They then got into an uppercut war that Sheamus won with a running knee and an axe handle. Cesaro fought back with a series of uppercuts into the corner then began the uppercut train which sent Sheamus reeling outside.

Cesaro followed and hit a somersault senton off the apron. Outside though, Sheamus sent Cesaro's injured shoulder into the turnbuckle then slammed him onto the apron. Sheamus hit a series of strikes then the Ten Beats of the Bodhran finished with a clothesline.

Sheamus went to the top rope and hit a diving shoulder tackle for two. He then bodyslammed Cesaro and began taunting him. Cesaro reversed a suplex by Sheamus into a deadlift suplex only to take a rolling senton. Sheamus' taunts got the better of him as Cesaro recovered and hit a springboard corkscrew uppercut.

Cesaro called for the swing but almost got rolled up. Sheamus then went for a backbreaker, but Cesaro shifted it into a Neutralizer for the victory. Afterward, Cesaro and Sheamus began brawling, leading to officials having to break them up.

Analysis: This match should have been longer than it was. Cesaro and Sheamus are good together, and they put on a strong match. However, they only got one segment even if it a long segment. Then their post-match brawl was not even shown on television.

I do like the idea of Cesaro and Sheamus as two disgruntled veterans both looking to prove their worth, elevating one another in the process. They are both top guys who have been lost in the shuffle. This feud can help them both increase Raw's main event scene.

They wanted to get 3MB back together, but apparently Drew McIntyre was too busy main eventing other wrestling promotions to job out to New Day 20 times. What a loser!

Jinder Mahal def. Heath Slater to Earn a Raw Contract

Overview: Disgruntled free agent Heath Slater made his first stop to Raw, taking over after the Cesaro and Sheamus brawl, and he brought his old "bandmate" Jinder Mahal. Slater demanded that they both be signed, so they could once again dominate the WWE as a group.

However, Mick Foley came out and pitted them against each other with only one man earning a contract. While Slater refused to fight his friend, he turned around into a big boot for the three count, earning Mahal a Raw contract.

Analysis: This has been some of the best work of Heath Slater's career so far. The free agent segment are fun and really play up the importance of the rosters. Slater is great on the mic and has done an excellent job putting over the other guys returning to Raw and SmackDown to boost the rosters.

Jinder Mahal is an interesting performer to add to the Raw roster. He never really got an opportunity his first time around despite some sleeper strong performances. Now he has a chance to change the way he is perceived or just get lost in the shuffle as enhancement talent to the New Era stars.

I can't get rid of this nagging thought in my head. It's just trying to burst out. This thought that this would have so much cooler as the Raw main event for SummerSlam.

Seth Rollins def. Sami Zayn

Overview: Seth Rollins quickly sent Sami Zayn into the corner and used forced separation to stomp on Zayn. He then landed a hard chop, but regretted launching Zayn into the ropes when he took a single leg dropkick. Zayn hit a series of chops that sent Rollins reeling. On the outside, Rollins threw Zayn right into a moonsault off the steel barricade.

However, Seth managed to get in charge by throwing Sami into the steel barricade multiple times. After a knee drop, Rollins threw Zayn into the corner. His second time throwing Zayn into the corner had Sami jump over the ropes to the apron but then get tripped and crotched on the top rope.

Rollins kept up the pressure on Sami until Zayn hit a arm drag but walked into a Slingblade. Rollins taunted Zayn and almost got rolled up which got Zayn energized who began throwing shots. He reversed a Pedigree but then took a turnbuckle bomb. Rollins set up a superkick with Zayn striking first with a clothesline.

The two both got to their feet with Zayn hitting a Michinoku driver. He called for the Blue Thunder Bomb, hitting it after considerable resistance by Rollins for a near-fall. Rollins hit an enzuigiri, but his Pedigree attempt was turned into a rope walk tornado DDT.

Rollins dodged outside to avoid a Helluva Kick with Zayn immediately hitting a somersault senton to the outside. Zayn went to the top rope, took a kick to the gut, but battled out of a Pedigree. However, he went leg first into the turnbuckle on a dodged Helluva Kick and finally took a Pedigree for the loss.

Analysis: This match should have gotten main event time because it had main event talent. Instead, this match never got the chance to really get rolling. Both men worked hard, but they couldn't quite hit the third gear. They hit their big moves, but the match did not flow as you would expect from such great talent.

For a match that was sort of a main event for the night, certainly the best contest of the night which is not saying much, there was not a real sense of stakes here. I hope Sami Zayn isn't going to get lost in the shuffle with everyone else suddenly paired off in feuds besides him.

Someone clearly forgot to tell Randy Orton in his return that there is now a new brand split.

Overview: Paul Heyman introduced Brock Lesnar who made his return to WWE for the first time since WrestleMania. Heyman hyped up Lesnar as still being an unstoppable Beast who would lay waste at SummerSlam to Randy Orton who had no chance.

Heyman made fun of Orton's "voices in his head" then promised he could survive their match at SummerSlam if he was man enough to stand up to Lesnar even if he had no chance of winning. Randy Orton suddenly appeared through the crowd and RKOed Lesnar before bolting back into the crowd.

Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon came out with officials to make sure that Randy Orton left the building as he was not allowed to be on Raw, but Orton just stood in the midst of the crowd and stared down Lesnar to end the show.

Analysis: I was skeptical of this as the main event of the night, but it really made the most impact of the night. Paul Heyman's promo was fine even though he said very little. What really mattered was how exciting it was to have Orton sneak onto Raw and RKO Lesnar. It sold the potential heat of this feud.

It also was just cool that Orton was treated as a rogue performer who shouldn't have been allowed in the arena as this wasn't his show. Beyond that though, this still didn't add to Lesnar vs. Orton. It felt more like a jumping off point. Now Lesnar and Orton have clashed.

We now need a good reason to care about these two fighting. What are the stakes? Why does Orton want to fight Lesnar so bad? Why did Lesnar even agree to have this match? Why is this a SummerSlam top match? Why do they keep talking about Suplex City vs. Viperville?

Second week in charge of Raw and wrestlers are already getting injured, jumping brands, and getting into full scale brawls. Great job so far, guys.

﻿﻿Final Notes: Mark Henry found Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon backstage, asking to opening up the Hall of Pain again. The two were taken aback, wanting Henry to be a mentor, but Mark promised he still had something left. Foley agreed and made Rusev vs. Mark Henry for the United States Championship.

R-Truth seemed unconcerned with wrestling as he tried to play Pokemon Go. Goldust had to convince him to compete tonight. A Nia Jax promo package was shown to hype up her second match. Bob Backlund yelled at Titus O'Neil for cheating with O'Neil threatening Backlund which set off Young who attacked Titus.

Cesaro and Sheamus went to Foley and McMahon's office and demanded a title shot like Henry got with Foley stating that both needed to prove themselves again, putting them in a match together with the winner getting a future title shot.

Chris Jericho was interviewed about Enzo and Cass, promising he would have backup next time from Jimen Marvinluder with Kevin Owens appearing and promising to be Jericho's real back up which Chris quickly accepted.

Conclusion: This may have been the most innocuous three hours of Raw in a while. While quite a bit happened, it all felt so empty. I doubt I will remember much of anything from this show come a week from now. The only real standout of the night was Orton's closing RKO which Lesnar and Orton's first moment in their feud.

We got a sense of where Raw is heading. The feuds are Rollins vs. Balor, Banks vs. Charlotte, New Day vs. Gallows and Anderson, Rusev vs. Reigns, Enzo and Cass vs. Y2KO, and Cesaro vs. Sheamus. Still, not one of those SummerSlam feuds made an impact. It felt like empty, boring development.

I won't say I'm not excited about the directions set for SummerSlam. Many of these feuds have real potential. However, there was just a feeling that nothing mattered. The matches drifted. The segments dragged. Nothing felt important. It was just a three hour show of nothing but feud announcements.